The Pros And Cons Of Having A Toilet In Your Bathroom
It goes without saying that every home needs to have at least one toilet. However, the specific location of that toilet within the bathroom can be a topic of debate for homeowners, designers and builders.
Some say that the toilet should be in the bathroom itself, while others believe that it should be in a separate room.
Many factors come into play when making this decision, but for most people, the primary considerations are hygiene, privacy and space.
Here’s what to consider when deciding which option is best for your needs and preferences.
Separate Toilet and Bathroom
In this configuration, you’ll have a bathroom with a shower, vanity and any other upgrades you choose.
The toilet will be in a separate, small room, typically just off the main bathroom.
This approach has several key benefits and is generally the preferred option.
Pros
On the positive side, this bathroom strategy gives you the most privacy as the toilet is enclosed and out of sight.
This is great for when you have multiple people sharing the same bathroom; one person can use the toilet without restricting access to the bathroom for others who need to use it.
This approach is also more hygienic than a combined toilet and bathroom, as any bacteria released into the air as the toilet is flushed will be contained within the toilet room.
Cons
An enclosed toilet does also have some minor drawbacks to keep in mind.
For starters, if the room with the toilet is be on the smaller side, this can create a cramped feeling that may make some people uncomfortable.
And the close quarters of a toilet room can make it more challenging to clean, especially when trying to reach the floor behind the toilet.
Combined Toilet and Bathroom
In the combined toilet and bathroom set-up, the toilet is in the same room as the shower, sink and other amenities, providing easy access when you need to go.
However, as with the separate toilet configuration, there are both benefits and drawbacks to this style of layout.
Pros
On the plus side, a combined bathroom will typically be much larger than a separate bathroom.
This added space can give the room a more luxurious feel, which is perfect for when you want to relax and unwind at the end of a long day.
A combined toilet and bathroom may also give you more flexibility when working with limited floorspace or unusual home layouts.
In many cases, depending on the configuration of the room, you may be able to hide the toilet from view so it’s not the first thing you see when you open the door.
You also have the option of including a feature wall to separate the toilet from the rest of the bathroom, even if it isn’t fully enclosed.
This approach bridges the gap between the two primary bathroom options and helps to minimise many of the cons of this style.
Cons
Because the toilet shares the space with the rest of the bathroom, there is no way to contain any odours that are produced. This can pose a problem when multiple people need to use the same bathroom at once.
There is also minimal privacy for the person using the toilet when someone else needs to use the bathroom to take a shower, brush their teeth, or simply wash their hands in the bathroom sink.
Hygiene may also be an issue with this bathroom style as bacteria can be spread into the air each time the toilet is flushed.
Making Your Decision
There is no right or wrong way to design your bathroom so take the time to think about which of the above factors are most important to you.
If you live alone, for example, privacy won’t be much of a concern, but it might be more of an issue if there are five people sharing the bathroom.
Similarly, space constraints are less prominent in larger homes than they are in smaller ones.
Also remember to take into account your existing plumbing, as this may limit the options that you have to work with.
Whichever configuration you choose, the importance of bathroom design cannot be understated.
Everything should flow smoothly from the entry point of your bathroom, giving you easy access to the elements you use most frequently, while creating an attractive space that is a pleasure to spend time in.
The experts here at First Choice Warehouse will be happy to help you throughout the design process so we can deliver the bathroom of your dreams.
Reach out to us today to get started!
And download our guide to Designing Your Dream Bathroom to ensure that you create a bathroom that you’ll love.